ALMOST THERE (2014) by Dan Rybicky and Aaron Wickenden
Details
“In surveying this setting, one might think Almost There is a documentary about impoverished, elderly folks who have sadly fallen through the cracks in the system. Instead, it’s an uncomfortable journey through the later life of an artist, a warts-and-all look at the filmmakers’ process that fails to get past its most troublesome wart.” Odie Henderson, RogerEbert.com
“Almost There, made under the banner of Windy City-based doc shop Kartemquin Films (Hoop Dreams), gives Anton’s kitschy-colorful portraiture the requisite close-up, but the film quickly becomes more compelling as a protracted intervention than as an act of advocacy.”Benjamin Mercer, The A.V. Club
“After guiding his fate, the filmmakers step back and dispassionately capture a series of frustrated caregivers passing the baton, each nudging Anton toward a new life. This decision makes "Almost There” a richer, more compassionate portrait.” Serena Donadoni Village Voice
[Laurie]
Unlike the previous films we watched this month, this film showcases the work of an artist that is alive! The two filmmakers befriend a talented artist named Peter Anton. Similar to the filmmaker of Finding Vivian Maier, these two men are impressed by the artwork which is good enough to be in a gallery. The showing of this artwork changes his life including bringing to light something controversial from his past. An ethical journey follows for the filmmakers and in this case their subject matter is included in the decision making process. Are there ethical complexities and potential conflicts inherent in every subject-filmmaker, artist-curator? Peter’s art is considered “outsider art” and was ultimately displayed at The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art in Chicago. Some people are drawn to outsider art because they expect to see something unusual - it offers a vision that is sometimes “out of whack”.
If we believe that an artist creates to better understand themself, then eventually when they share their artwork, they risk exposing who they are. This does not seem to stop some artists.
You can stream Almost There for free on Kanopy.
Happy viewing!